I'd say, given their current form, both would be equally dangerous for any of the top players in small to medium tournaments, so it’s 50/50 for me. Nishi beat Nole just last year and Raonic beat Andy twice this year, but then again, Andy is not as consistent as the other top 3 yet, so it’s understood why he’d lose 2 matches to Raonic. Also, while Raonic can be very dangerous with his serves, Nishi can be equally dangerous with his ground game. I’ve seen Raonic not serving as well when he’s under pressure so that can also be a liability for him.

Djokovic was clearly unwell that day (no disrespect to Nishikori) and Nishi has been very ineffective in his few other encounters against the top four. Raonic on the other hand is clearly not fazed and has put up several close fights against Federer as well as beating Andy twice. So ye, I can see where the bookies are coming from.

You'd think that eventually he will get a coach who will sort his head out and not let his obvious talent go to waste. The question is how much of his career is he going to waste.

Yeah.... maybe that's the difference between a Murray and a Tomic. Andy always sought continues improvement...and displayed that frustration at losing...that eventual champions have. Tomic has never shown any of that.... just glimpses of ability.

Yeah.... maybe that's the difference between a Murray and a Tomic. Andy always sought continues improvement...and displayed that frustration at losing...that eventual champions have. Tomic has never shown any of that.... just glimpses of ability.

Yep. Andy's will to win and improve is such an amazing, in my opinion under-rated trait. Certainly one I have taken for granted. What he's put himself and his body through is really incredible, and the discipline he's had and the desire to get to the top at whatever the cost is the reason he is where is today. Being friends with Djokovic from such a young age must have helped no end too, Murray was never going to just be content with sitting in the top 10 whilst his friend was winning Slams.

Yep. Andy's will to win and improve is such an amazing, in my opinion under-rated trait. Certainly one I have taken for granted. What he's put himself and his body through is really incredible, and the discipline he's had and the desire to get to the top at whatever the cost is the reason he is where is today. Being friends with Djokovic from such a young age must have helped no end too, Murray was never going to just be content with sitting in the top 10 whilst his friend was winning Slams.

Yeah... I think many neautrals thought it was almost desperation on Andy's part to be the best.... but it seems to now be a requirement for success in tennis.... Tennis ...like many other sports has gone through a transition to peak fitness as a requirement. Its almost at the stage where a tennis player wont compete realistically for a slam until around the approx age 24 and upwards due to the physical requirements.

However, a player has to display dogged determination to reach those levels.... and Im beginning to think Tomic (along with many others up & coming) dont have that in their makeup. I dont believe you can coach that into a player...its either there or it isnt. Thats why countries can invest all they like into coaching facilities....but a real champion is very very hard to find.

Djokovic was clearly unwell that day (no disrespect to Nishikori) and Nishi has been very ineffective in his few other encounters against the top four. Raonic on the other hand is clearly not fazed and has put up several close fights against Federer as well as beating Andy twice. So ye, I can see where the bookies are coming from.

The bookies also had Raonic as the favourite over Nishikori just last week. They also had Nole as the winner of 2012 USO. A lot of other predictions during 2012 USO were wrong. So ye, I definitely see where they are coming from.

Anyway, Nole was definitely out of source towards the end of 2011 but Nishikori is still a very good player and he's coming together more and more since last year. Raonic can offer competitive matches as his serve is quite deadly but 90% of the time, he'll lose a match against any of top players and the nature of the match does not make any difference in the end since the outcome is still predicable.